The National tribune., 1887-09-08
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Prars nj Duties Taught by q Study or the Inter
national Sunday -schOsl Lesson Appointed fol
Sept. Is. ~. Matt, 1850.

R9htn A@es"t W ose"J VI INV hhtct-
national Sunday school Lesson Appointed for
Sept. IS. St. Matt, 1889. {.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
Indicated aboye.l
SUBJECT: THE MARROW wAY.-THE STRICT
NESS OF CHRISTIANITY.
We are still studying Christ's Sermon on the
Mount. 1t is worthy of the time spent on it.
He tells us about certain gates. Eastern
cities were surrounded by walls. Entrances
were gained through gates. Some Of these were
wide, being at the end of huge avenues, over
which daily went great crowds of people. A
| number of men abreast could pass through at
| once. Then there were some narrow, private
gates, in cases so narrow that a large person
would find it quite difficult to squeeze through
one of them. We notice the word "strait"
| Verse ~ is not straight. The word strait
means narrow, difficult Of entrance, pent up;
c. g., in the geographic division OF waters
strait is a narrow pass of water connecting two
large bodies of water. Persons laden with
great burdens chose the wide gates.
1t was apparent thar passage through large
gate was easy. and that men often were obliged
| 10 make great effort to get through a narrow
gate. So we see how Christ came to use the
| fgurative style of language he does as to the
| Christian life.
What was the strait gate2 Some hold il was
the Golden Rule-a golden gate indeed 1t has
been understood variously: c. O., IL is the point
where one makes the decision, often with a
| fearful struggle. 10 become a Christian-the
parturitiOn of conversion. Some say, we are
TO understand the righteousness of Christ (;
Others, humility and repentance; Others, the
| remuneration OF the world through poverty OF
spirit. The wide way Is self-righteousness. 1t
is easy TO live according TO our evil, natural
proclivlties. But q piOus life is a rebellion
| against ourselves, contest with besettfng sins,
a declaration of Independence, revolution
against Satan, war with evil. The gate Is at
the entry: so the great struggle in the Chris
tian life is specially at the outset, the turning
| point. Iii then the world most resists man
religious efforts Ridicule is added. While
the entire course of the follower of Jesus is a
constant contest, still the time OF choice and
the beginning of Christian effort are most Sc
we're. Solf-trial, resolution. conquest of sell
and opposition of the evil, render the entrance
to a holy life so difficult that the candidate
must suffer in a severe conflict.
Bunyan, In Pilgrims Progress, makes muen
use of our Savior's words about the gate, the
way, the life and the destruction. His allie
CORY doubtless had its start in Christs meta
phors. But further fact probably had III
influence. At the east end of EstlOw Church
there is large doorway. In IL there
is a smaller door. Hence one door lead
|
| practically two doors-one door being WithlI
the other. The large door need not always b
opened. If one came and wished TO enter, h'
could pass through the small door. When
crowd was TO go through, the wide door woul'
be used. When a boy Bunyan without doub
frequently passed through the narrow door
He could easily get an idea thus of the strai
entrance. The great gate or door swung opel
for the masses, while only the narrow one wa
needed for the single, devout person VIII
wanted to seek the sanctuary for private wor
ship. This thought has been put into delight
full verse, as follows:
Mid the fast falling shadows,
| Weary aud worn and late,
A timid. doubling pilgrim,
| i reached the wicket gate.
Where crowds have stood before me
| j stand alone tonight;
| And in the deepening darkness
Pray for one CLEAN of light.
From the foul sloughs and marshes
| I've gathered many STAIN
i I've heard old voices calling
From far across the plain;
| Now In my wretchcd weakness,
| Fearful and sAd wait;
And every refuge fails me,
Here at the wicket gate.
And will the portals open
To me who Toamed 80 long;
Filthy and vile. and burdened
| With this great weight Of wrongf
Hark glad voice Of welcome
| Bids my wild fears abate;
Look. for hand Of mercy
Opens the wicket gate.
On TO the palace Beautiful,
And the bright room called Peacei
Down to the silent river
| Where thou shall find release;
Up 10 the radiant city.
| Where shining ones await;
On. for the way Of glory
Lies through the wicket gate